#IntrovertInsights

[anndaily]

Unlocking the Mystery: Getting to Know an Introvert

In a world where being outgoing and social often gets the spotlight, it's easy to miss the quieter folks among us. But introverts aren't just shy bystanders; they've got a whole world inside them that often goes unnoticed. Getting to know them isn't just about appreciating our differences—it can also lead to deeper connections in both our personal and professional lives.

Introversion isn't just about being shy or anxious in social situations, although those traits can come with it. It's more about being tuned into your inner world. Introverts recharge by spending time alone, whether that's diving into a good book, journaling, or just reflecting on life. It doesn't mean they hate socializing, but they prefer smaller, cozy gatherings and need some downtime afterward to recharge.

The Strength of Alone Time

For introverts, being alone isn’t just something they like—it's where they find their mojo. When they have time to themselves, they can dig into their thoughts and feelings. They're like detectives, piecing together ideas and coming up with cool new ways to see the world. This knack for introspection often leads to awesome breakthroughs, making introverts big players in fields like art, science, and deep thinking.

Introverts Roll in Conversations

Introverts aren't big on chit-chat. They're all about those heart-to-heart talks that get into the good stuff. While extroverts might love shooting the breeze, introverts want to dive deep into meaningful topics. They're great listeners, picking up on the little things and understanding where you're coming from. But don't expect them to be the life of the party. They'd rather hang back, soak it all in, and maybe share a thoughtful insight or two.

Giving Introverts Their Space

Understanding introverts means knowing they need their alone time. While extroverts might be all about being around people 24/7, introverts need their moments of peace to recharge. Forcing them into busy situations or expecting them to always be social butterflies can stress them out. It's all about respecting their boundaries and giving them the freedom to take a breather and chill when they need to.

Getting Where Introverts Are Coming From

To get introverts, we've gotta be empathetic and keep an open mind. Instead of thinking they're aloof or not interested, we should see their quiet side as part of who they are. By meeting them halfway—whether it's chatting one-on-one, doing something nice for them, or finding common interests—we can build stronger bonds and make sure everyone feels understood and respected.

Embracing our Differences

In a world where being outgoing is often seen as the best, it's super important to appreciate how different we all are. Introverts bring their cool vibe to the mix, offering fresh ideas and skills that go hand in hand with the more outgoing types. When we give props to what introverts bring to the table, we're making the world a more welcoming and chill place that celebrates all the awesome ways people can be.

Conclusion

So, next time you're hanging out with your friends or colleagues, keep in mind that there's a whole bunch of introverts out there with their unique way of rolling. They might not always be the loudest ones in the room, but they've got plenty to offer if you take the time to get where they're coming from. By giving them the space they need, respecting their boundaries, and showing them some love, we're not just making the world a more inclusive place. We're also tapping into a whole new world of insights and perspectives. So, let's raise a toast to embracing our differences and celebrating the awesome tapestry of human nature.

[inspirebitesofficial]

The Power of Introversion: Creativity and Leadership | #IntrovertInsights | #LeadershipShorts

FYI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWusC_9XK38&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

[hello-who-is-it]

Introvert Insights - Insights from an Introvert

Part 14 - Compliments

I had these two statement said to me recently:

‘Your hair looks a lot blonder than the last time I saw you’

I said thank you.

Later that same day, the following was said to me:

‘You have really nice hair’ to which I replied ‘you think so? It needs a cut, and I don’t like this part back here, and it grows out weird over here’ and then trailed off.

Let’s unpack these two instances.

The first interaction; was that technically a compliment?

Or just an observation?

They might’ve actually hated the blonde. It wasn’t followed up with ‘Well, it’s hideous’ or asking ‘you plan on keeping it like that?’ So I took it as the former.

That…I was able to accept, despite not knowing the true nature of the statement.

The second, I’m pretty sure WAS a compliment. But for some reason, I couldn’t accept it. I had to swat it away like a fly.

In any case, I couldn’t help but wonder, why is it so hard to accept compliments (or perceived compliments). Is it the unwanted attention? Is it the interaction that we’re now supposed to have, about a subject that most introverts avoid, ourselves?

And what about back handed compliments?

Like when someone says, ‘wow, you’ve lost weight!’

If it’s not followed up with a ‘looking good!’, most the time the implication is that before, they needed to and only now you've noticed.

But I did come to realize that compliments are subjective. Not necessarily what they are but also where they come from. Coming from people that are pleasant and nice, like the above examples, it was received positively.

Coming from someone that I may not particularly know or even like, it could come across as only an observation, and with possible negative intent.

Subtle implications.

I think the bigger issue is why I couldn’t accept the one and not the other.

Anyway, as a society in general, we are too focused on outward appearance.

When we really should be complimentary on the whole person, achievements, and personality traits.

#introvertinsights

#comedy

#satire

[the-sami-gardner]

#nerdlife #livingmybestlife #introvertparty #introvertinsight @the_traveling_introvert https://ift.tt/2AidORS

[inspirebitesofficial]

ICYMI: The Power of Introversion: Creativity and Leadership | #IntrovertInsights | #LeadershipShorts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWusC_9XK38&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

[inspirebitesofficial]

The Power of Introversion: Creativity and Leadership | #IntrovertInsights | #LeadershipShorts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWusC_9XK38&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

[hello-who-is-it]

Introvert Insights - Insights from an introvert

Part 13 - Dining out solo edition.

Most of us don’t mind going out to eat on our own.

We don’t mind sitting at the bar, watching the kitchen staff, or the other patrons. Sometimes we don’t even mind a little chit-chat with a seat mate, (emphasis on a little)

Most of the time there’s a TV to keep us occupied.

There’s always our phone.

And everything is fine.

Until it isn’t.

Like when service is severely lacking.

After much deliberation, when we finally decide what we want (see part 7) we place our order.

She takes the menu, and we wait.

Our coffee is now empty.

We wait. And wait. And wait some more.

Now we’re being forced into an introvert nightmare dilemma.

Do we flag someone down and have them check on our order?

Do we run the risk of appearing unpleasant and asking for more coffee?

Do we just wait even more while watching all the other meals go out?

Forcing an interaction that we do not wish to have.

Then the reckoning comes.

Because we have that look of starvation and confusion, bordering on irritation, the server finally comes by and says ‘it’ll be out in just a bit’ and finally refills the coffee.

But you know she forgot to put in the order.

Hello, I’m sitting at the bar and I can see no sign of my food. I’m sitting next to the till. I know how this works.

Then the manager comes by, apologizes for the wait and says they’re discounting your meal (which ironically has still yet to arrive)

So, you say a combination of the following: it’s ok, thank you, it’s all good, accidents happen, I’m in no hurry, no worries’. I’m certain I said all of these.

At last, your food arrives, thinking you’ll eat at a land speed record, which you do, and bolt.

Now you get to wait for the bill.

The server comes by and you ask for the bill (remember, manager said discounted), she says it’s been taken care of.

You thank her, hastily grab your things and head out before they have a chance to change their minds.

Never to return again.

#comedy

#satire

#introvertinsights

[hello-who-is-it]

Introvert Insights - Insights from an Introvert

Part 12 - Year end edition

We made it. Again. Barely.

Last day of 2021.

Trevor Noah of The Daily Show described 2021 as ‘the least bad year of the last two years’.

As an introvert, I beg to differ. I think 2021 has been much worse than 2020. I felt most of us home bodies thrived in 2020. We liked being at home. We thrived in ‘lockdown’ with the families. Watching shows, learning new hobbies, cooking more. 2021 was worse in so many different ways. Not only did society attempt to ‘come back to normal’, it came flooding back. We went from a dripping faucet to a fire hose. Traffic got worse almost over night, everyone seemed to forget how to drive. Crowds seemed to multiply before our eyes.

People (extroverts, mostly) who couldn’t handle being home for so long… Lost. Their. Damn. Minds. and it’s showing by how everyone has been acting towards each other.

Don’t even start with the mask/vax requirements.

Even though the pandemic is still raging on, we’re supposed to act like everything is normal and it is far from it.

So now we have this new variant. Supposed to be more contagious and wide spread than the first 2 variants. And with it, the threat of another lockdown.

So let me speak for all introverts when I say:

BRING IT ON. Don’t threaten us with a good time.

We can, at least, plan for it better this time around.

I could certainly use the break.

It’s too damn peopley out there for me anyways.

#comedy? #satire? #introvertinsights

[hello-who-is-it]

Introvert Insights - Insights from an Introvert

Part 11 - Elevator rules.

I try to avoid these awful cubes of dread whenever possible. If I have to, I’ll walk down 11 flights of stairs. Up? I’m not insane (also I’m out of shape) but I’m always hoping that taking the lift is a solo mission.

You know how it goes, you press the button, it lights up, and you wait. Then someone comes along and presses it again because clearly, you didn’t do it right. We all know multiple presses makes the elevator come faster.

The first rule is where to stand when you’re in there by yourself, since there seems to be some confusion:

Along the back…in the center…facing forward.

You are not to stand on the sides towards the front. Here’s why: I’m out waiting for the doors to open, once they do, I wait a beat, quick glance to see that it’s empty and I proceed to step in. When suddenly you jump out to exit from the side front corner tucked out of sight, and we bump into each other. Since that rule is to wait until everyone’s off before stepping on, you get mad thinking I just barged in. Look, I don’t want to bump into you either.

Now, let’s say I’m on a high floor going down, I step on, press the Lobby button. It’s moving swiftly until it slows to a stop on a floor that is not the lobby. I get that feeling of dread in my stomach and think ugh, here we go. I slide to the back corner (cause I’m in the center, where I’m supposed to be). The doors open, and within 1.5 seconds, I make quick eye contact, making sure the person joining me isn’t a psychopath, maybe say a clipped hello, break eye contact, and stare forward in silence the rest of the way down. That’s the next rule.

Also, please do not engage in conversation.

Or stand too close.

And when we land at the lobby, don’t wait for me to exit first. Just go and don’t look back.

Those are the rules.

Or better yet, take the damn stairs.

Which is what I should’ve done.

#introvertinsights #comedy

[hello-who-is-it]

Introvert Insights - Insights from an Introvert

(Thanks to my friend Holly for the inspo in this one)

Part 10 Halloween Edition

Since Halloween is tomorrow, I thought I’d share some introverted thoughts about it.

In short………….we hate it.

Here’s why:

1) The dressing up. Takes way too much effort, unless we can go as a couch potato.

2) The parties. You already know we don’t want to go to parties all the other days of the year, this one being the worst since costumes and disguises, that adds to our performance anxiety.

3) Trick or Treating? I can’t think of anything worse than multiple people coming to my door unannounced.

Oh wait, yes I can…kids.

4) Kids coming to my door unannounced.

5) We already loathe the unexpected, so the thought of being scared, things jumping out at us on purpose (gory, gross, disgusting things, but I’ve already mentioned the kids) um, that’ll be a no for me. You can keep those haunted houses too.

Also, when it’s on a Sunday like this year, that’s up to 4 nights of parties, festivities, events that are possible and that’s just way too much. Some of y’all start this shit on Thursday night. No thank you.

So the only redeeming thing that I can think of about this dreadful holiday is November 1st, when all the candy is half off. So there’s that.

#comedy

#satire

#introvertinsights

[hello-who-is-it]

Introvert Insights - Insights from an Introvert

Part 9

Have you ever come across someone, either at work or in a social setting, some instance where you have to interact with them and they’re just draining?

You can actually feel the energy being pulled from you like the flu.

Despite my natural wallflower tendencies, I’m lead often at work. Partly because I’m a control freak and I don’t generally like the way others lead.

So in order to reduce my stress, I just do it.

In doing so, I set the tone. The vibe.

More often than not, it works in my favor.

Until…

I’m put in proximity to one of these ultra toxic personalities. It’s awful. The negativity permeates the air. It’s usually someone that sort of means well, friendly-ish on the surface, but every thing they say comes out riddled with snark. Complaints are saturated with sarcasm. Just an overall blanket of distain.

I try but I can’t compete with it. My introverted self is in a constant state of cringe. I feel like I need to follow behind them and apologize in the aftermath because drama seems to be attracted to them.

Also, these people usually don’t understand the concept of professionalism, decorum, or just plain being polite so it leads to the potential of confrontation, which we all know, is something we want to avoid at all costs.

I’m already exhausted.

#introvertinsights

#comedy

#satire

[hello-who-is-it]

Introvert Insights - Insights from an Introvert

Part 8

We don’t really get angry. I mean, bursting with rage, screaming, cussing, full on wrath type of angry. That would cause too much attention to be drawn to us. Upset, sure, irritated or perturbed, of course, a little mad even, but angry, never.

I witnessed a young woman completely lose it with anger. She claimed someone stole her wallet out of her bag on the plane and totally lost all control. I haven’t seen anything like it. Screaming, swearing, banging fists. This outburst was pure rage with despair at the core. If it wasn’t for the multiple colorful metaphors she was using to accuse us, I almost felt sorry for her. Plus not knowing what she was capable of, a little scared for our safety.

It got me thinking, I cannot remember a time when I was ever that furious, if at all. Introverts would never cause a scene like that. We’d be passive aggressive, maybe even a little rude or curt, but nothing like what I witnessed today. It doesn’t mean we’re weak, soft, or detached. We feel all the feelings including anger, just at a much lower volume.

#introvertinsights

[hello-who-is-it]

Introvert Insights - Insights from an Introvert

Part 7 - Indecisive Edition

I’m not sure this is particularly exclusive to introverts but I’d be hard pressed to find an extrovert with a decision making issue.

Please do not ask us to make THE decision. Especially for a group of people.

I can barely make one for myself.

Every day, it’s always the same.

The most prolific example is:

What…

do I want…

to eat? Ugh.

I go thru all the questions. Examine all the options.

What DO I want? Actually.

Should I go cheap?

Should I try and stay healthy?

What I truly want is rarely cheap or healthy and it’s never both.

So I’ll go with healthy but it’s expensive and it doesn’t sound all that good.

Ok, I’ll go cheap, but then I’ll ruin the ‘diet plan’ I tell everyone I’m on.

Should I sit down at a place or take it to go?

If I sit down, it’ll cost more, I’ll have to interact with people, and take more time.

So, when I finally do find a place to get something to go…

They’re closed.

#introvertinsights

#comedy

#satire

[hello-who-is-it]

Introvert Insights - Insights from an Introvert

Part 6

Please do not call us on the phone.

When we see our phone light up, we automatically go into panic mode. We’re hardwired that way.

We will almost always think the worst.

Here’s a few reasons why:

First, it’s a forced conversation that we haven’t planned for, rehearsed, or written cliff notes.

Second, it will typically go on for longer than we want or the energy it requires.

Third, we are natural born observers. When in person, we watch everything, facial expressions, body language, etc, but we’re not able to rely on those cues on the phone. So we end up talking over each other, and interrupting, stuttering, or the opposite, long pauses of awkward silence.

And immediately after hanging up, our first thought is ‘well, that could’ve just been a text’.

#comedy #satire #introvertinsights

[hello-who-is-it]

Introvert Insights - Insights from an Introvert.

Part 5

You’ll see us keep to ourselves most of the time and because of this, we’re often perceived as anti-social. Standoffish. Aloof.

Wanting to be left alone all the time.

This is not usually the case.

We love our social interactions. We actually do like (most of) our friends. We like hanging out in a controlled environment. But you’ll have to remember that it comes with a few limits.

Think of us as your iPhone battery.

At the beginning of a party, we’re at, oh, let’s say 70%. After mingling, making small talk, meeting a few new people, our ‘battery’ is quickly brought down to 20% and we have to go into ‘low battery mode’ which means, it’s time to go (translation: we need to get the hell outta there).

You’ve spent all that time on your phones playing Candy Crush and watching TikToks and before you know it, you need to plug it in.

We’re the same.

But we always appreciate the invites. Even more so if those invites comes with a built in ‘out’: ‘We’re having a few people over, we’d love to have you, but we know you’re busy, just let us know’.

Those are the best.

We actually might go. Maybe.

#introvertinsights

#satire #comedy

[hello-who-is-it]

Introvert Insights - Insights from an Introvert.

Part 4

I’m reading. A book. You know, with pages.

You come up and ask ‘whatcha reading?’

My first thought is going to be ‘well, nothing now since you’ve interrupted me’. But I stop, smile (cause I’m nice) and show you the cover, maybe mention something about the author or plot just for decoration.

You ask ‘is it good?’ (by the way, that’s subjective*)

Internal dialogue:

I don’t know, you’re keeping me from reading it.

I’m hoping it’s good because now I get to reread the page I was on cause I just lost my place.

But I say ‘I like it so far.’

I’ll be sure to keep you posted.

(*a better question with just about anything is ‘do you like it?’ What’s good to me might be awful to you, but I digress)

#introvertinsights #comedy #satire